The statement marked a potential escalation in a row between EU member state Lithuania and China which centres on Vilnius's decision to allow Taiwan to open a representative office under its own name.

Beijing baulks at any official use of the word Taiwan, lest it lend a sense of international legitimacy to the island, which China considers part of its territory.

"The EU has been informed that Lithuanian shipments are not being cleared through the Chinese customs and that import applications from Lithuania are being rejected," said the statement issued by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and EU trade commissioner Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis.

They said the bloc was gathering more information and was asking Chinese authorities to rapidly clarify the situation.

"The EU is ready to stand up against all types of political pressure and coercive measures applied against any Member State," the statement said.

"The development of China's bilateral relations with individual EU Member States has an impact on overall EU-China relations."

The two officials said that, if it were confirmed Lithuania's exports were being blocked, the EU would turn to the World Trade Organization.

Their statement was issued the same day the European Commission announced it planned to take on new powers to use its trade clout to swiftly retaliate against foreign governments that try to coerce Brussels or member states.